PARIS , France -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- The backstage gossip at recent fashion shows would n't be complete without rampant speculation about who is likely to replace esteemed American Vogue Editor in Chief Anna Wintour .

Vogue editors Anna Wintour and Carine Roitfeld at AmfAR 's 10th Annual New York Gala in January 2008 .

Wintour has yet to announce any plans to retire but her advancing age -- she 's 60 this year -- has stoked speculation that after more than 20 years in the role it might be time to leave .

One name touted as a possible replacement is Carine Roitfeld , the highly respected editor in chief of Vogue Paris . Read more about Carine Roitfeld

Roitfeld is accustomed to the speculation , describing it as `` frustrating . '' She told CNN she had n't been offered the job and even if she was she probably would n't take it .

`` It 's a bit like for an actor . Do you want to go to Hollywood or do you want to stay here in Paris and do the cinema I like to do ? , '' Roitfeld said . `` I think I prefer to stay here in Paris . '' Watch Carine Roitfeld Revealed

A fixture at the U.S. title since 1988 , Wintour has a fearsome reputation , mostly courtesy of the 2006 film starring Meryl Streep , `` The Devil Wears Prada . ''

The film is based on a book penned by a former assistant at American Vogue who has denied suggestions Wintour was the inspiration for the demanding and odious lead character .

Roitfeld is anxious not to create any friction between her and her U.S. counterpart , telling CNN `` I think Anna does a great job ... I think she 's a great person . ''

She said she would be honored to be asked to fill Wintour 's shoes , but pointed out that `` it 's a very different job . ''

`` I 'm very happy at French Vogue to be able to do everything -- almost everything -- I want in the magazine , '' she said . `` It would be too political at American Vogue for me . And I 'm not sure I 'm talking enough good English to work there . ''

At Vogue Paris , Roitfeld knows her readers . They are a select group of incredibly stylish and wealthy women who are thrilled rather than alienated by unconventional ideas .

The best-selling edition so far , in August 2003 , featured French actress Sophie Marceau on the cover smoking a cigarette .

At French Vogue , there 's less pressure to appeal to the masses . Its circulation of some 139,000 is dwarfed by the million plus readers of American Vogue .

Fashion shoots are about fantasy . There 's no imperative to make any clothes they feature wearable . If it 's unusual and innovative , then it 's in .

With just 25 staff , Roitfeld describes the team at French Vogue as like a family . And that 's how she prefers it .

Having said that , she told CNN she would n't dismiss any offer out of hand .

`` Of course I would consider it because it would be ridiculous not to consider such a huge position -- in terms of money and in terms of power , '' she said .

`` But I 'm very happy . It 's very much a small team -LRB- in Paris -RRB- . America is a huge team . I know because I 've worked for them before . I think it 's not for me . ''

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Style icon Anna Wintour is rumored to be leaving American Vogue in 2009

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Vogue Paris Editor in Chief Carine Roitfeld touted as a possible replacement

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Roitfeld told CNN : `` I think I prefer to stay here in Paris ... I 'm very happy ''